Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-06-17
HIS SPECIAL GlF 7. .

"Have you seen the freshman
(Which
"There is but one you could see."
"Humpty Dumpty? Oh, he pervades
the place. The trees in the campus
shrauk into bushes when he came into
it,"
The students who were going up to
chapel in groups were calling to each
other, joking as usual. But there was
but one subject to-day for their jokes.
"Have you seen the Babe" "Tom
Thumb" "Bulgy"-they had dozen
nickuames for this unfortunate fresh
man, who had arrived the previous
night, and had been seen at the hotel by
some of them.
He was not at chapel, however, so that
the majority of US were disappointed.
had all errand to Prof. TyndalPs
room .ha1 morning, and found there a
very meek little woman who had
brought her son up to college.
She was speaking as | entered.
"You understand, professor, he is my
only child. am widow. He is all l
have"
Il do understand, madam" " said the
good old professor, gently, land all
that can do to make him useful man
shall be done, rest assured. But in the
end, it depends on the lad himself"
"Oh, Tony's willing! He does his
best. But we're very poor. 1t has been
hard work for years TO raise the money
for him 20 come here, and now | want
him to learn everything right away :
Greek and Latin and mathematics and
history and"
SIS your son y good arithmetician?
Or has he talent for language, or bellies
lettres, or what has he an inclination
for?"
ooh, nothing at all, sir, unless it is
his meals. He's very fond Of dinner,
especially when there's pot-pie. But
as for books, he doesn'C banker for any
of them. That's the reason | brought
him here"
81 should like to see the boy" said
the worried professor.
"He's just outside. But you'll be
gentle with himp' she said, anxiously,
pausing at the door, the knob in her
hand. Hes mere boy, perfect
child. Come in, Tony, dear!"
The professor looked away to hide a
smile us the tiny little woman came up,
leading an immensely overgrown youth
as she would baby.
"This is Tony, sir. That is his pet
name, but Anthony Briggs Brashier is
his full name"
"Take a seat, Mr.. Brashier," said the
professor, placing chair for tie lad.
"a few questions, perhaps will give
me an idea Of the best course for you to
choose. Many of our studies are cleo
tive. How far have you gone in Latin !"
Tony's red face was perfectly round,
and no older in its lines than that Of
boy OF six. But there was great anxiety
in his eyes, as he said, in husky whis-
per: II never could get beyond the
grammar, SIR"
"And in Creek"
Tony shook his head. The examina-
ton on every subject brought the same
results. The professor frowned. you
are fiji only for the preparatory school,
| fear. AS to mathematicsW
Tony's face lightened. II don't think
am quite such Ounce in mathematics
as in other things. | like the study. L
have gone through the geometry and
algebra twice"
"well, we'll" said the professor, "we
shall see. You will undergo regular
examination. Ii you must enter the
preparatory school, it will make your
course year longer,
"Oh dear, Tony, do try!" almost sob
bed his mother. "You know all that de-
pends on your getting through soon. [
want him to be minister, sir. His
father was a minister. He'd earn our
living that way and serve God, too. |
want him to live for the glory of God
and the good of the world"
The professor attended her respect
fully as she went out. Tony fingered,
catching sight Of me.
care you one Of the studentsF" he
asked.
Yes" had an odd bewilderment
as to whether ii was child or grave,
eager man who wss talking to me.
Il suppose it's pretty hard work
herew
"Pretty hard, even fora bright fcl-
low" replied.
swell, | can't do it. I'm not bright; I;
I'm regular Ounce. I've made up my
mind to that Except" his queer dark
eyes Frightening, "in one or two little
things, but they wouldn't count-here.
There was little doubt that Tony's es-
innate of himself was correct. In spite
of his knowledge of mathematics, he
was so deficient in his other studies
that he was put into the preparatory
school, with lads of twelve. There lie
remained for two long years.